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Hechavarria could return to Marlins in a week

4/16/13: Adeiny Hechavarria drives a three-run homer to left, his first of the season, to give the Marlins a 4-0 lead in the fourth

By Joe Frisaro
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MLB.com |

MIAMI -- Barring any setbacks, Adeiny Hechavarria could be returning to the Marlins in a week.

The 24-year-old shortstop, placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 18 with a bruised right elbow, did some light infield work on Thursday prior to the Marlins-Cubs game at Marlins Park.

"Hech, he's going to take some ground balls and make some throws," manager Mike Redmond said. "The plan is for him to play some games [in Jupiter]."

During batting practice, Hechavarria fielded ground balls, but he refrained from throwing.

The club is hopeful that he will be reinstated on May 2 at Philadelphia, the first day he is eligible.

"If everything goes well, we're shooting for him to come off that day," Redmond said.

He has done some light throwing and is a day or two away from hitting.

Several other Marlins are well into their recovery from various injuries.

Henderson Alvarez, who opened the season on the DL with right shoulder inflammation, is throwing a 45-pitch simulated game on Saturday. The plan is for him to start throwing in Minor League games on May 2.

Alvarez could be ready to join the rotation by mid-May.

Nathan Eovaldi, also out with right shoulder inflammation, has started his long-toss progression. He was recently placed on the 60-day disabled list, so he won't be available until mid-June, at the earliest.

First baseman Casey Kotchman, on the DL since Apirl 5 with a strained left hamstring, is still at least a few weeks away.

Catcher Jeff Mathis, on the disabled list with a broken right collarbone, could be playing rehab assignment games as early as May 1.

First baseman Logan Morrison, on the disabled list with a right knee injury, could be playing in rehab assignment games on May 10.

Once all these players return, the club will more closely resemble what the Marlins expected at the start of Spring Training.

"We'll hopefully have the team we thought we'd start out with," Redmond said. "But, hey, that's all part of it. I know that's obviously a lot of guys. It is what it is. They're getting better, and hopefully we'll get them back out there on the field."